1. Name (optional): Steven F. Gardner
2. Age: 43
3. Nationality: USA
4. Gender: male
5. How would you explain your path to someone else with no knowledge of it?
I don't subscribe to the term "path" which implies that I'm following a
course laid out before me. Rather, I prefer the term "Journey" which seems to
me to be a better fit. The influences on this Journey have varied over the
years and include Christian, agnostic, atheist, Druid, Pagan, and Taoist.
These have all had an influence, but to say that I am any one of these "labels"
would fall short. The nearest philosophy I've come across that seems to fit
pretty well is Pantheist. But beyond the generalities of Pantheism, I believe
that this "One" of which we all are a part is, in itself, intelligent in a way
we can never fully understand.
6. How is your path expressed in practice?
Practice? Sounds like you're talking about "What do you DO?" I've learned
it's not so much what I DO, but what I AM that is of consideration. I am of
The One. What I DO is up to me. In practical terms, I DO observe the rotation
of the "Wheel of the Year" so to speak by observing the Solstices and Equinoxes
(primarily) as well as the days that fall at the midpoints (secondarily) between
these days. I also take note of "A Time between Times" (as the Equinoxes and
Solstices fit) as well as "A Place between Places", which, of course, are
variable. I have an affinity toward the ancient "Elements" of Air, Earth, Fire,
and Water, but don't incorporate them into any sort of ritual except for very
special occasions (I performed a marriage ceremony for some friends, for
example).
7. How do you know if your practice is successful?
I'm not sure what you're getting at by this question. Would you ask this of a
Christian or a Jew? What is a successful practice?
8. Why have you chosen the particular path you are following?
My belief is about who I am. It isn't about a path that I'm following. I am
exploring my relationship with The One. That's all.
9. What is your experience of otherworld beings? Could you give some examples.
I have enough to worry about in THIS world without looking to otherworlds.
That being said, I feel a connection within The One when I look for it. I
don't see it as a seperate "being" in any way.
10. How do you see your relationship with them?
See #9 above.
11. How does your path relate to other areas of your life?
My Journey IS my life. I feel a connection to The One on an ongoing basis.
Even in my work which is heavily industrial, I know what I am, and why I'm
here.
12. How do you see the relationship of life and death?
Life and Death are merely different phases of the same existance.
13. How do you see time?
I don't. Time is a construct of our own concious human minds and is based on
our limited perspective. If the whole could be viewed, Time would be
irrelevant.
14. How do you handle ideas of good and evil?
Good and Evil are human constructs as well. They also are based on limited
human perspective. If the whole could be viewed, Good and Evil would also be
irrelevant. For instance, Osama bin Laden, I'm sure, feels that it was a good
thing to blow up the World Trade Center.
15. How do you view different spaces and objects in your practice or experience?
Every thing and every space is a part of The One. How I make use of these
things would be cermonial only. I don't use such things in any of my
observances. For the Solstices and Equinoxes (A time between times) I will
usually go off to the Mountains or the Seashore (A place between places) for my
observances. Once there, I will look for "found objects" to represent the
elements of air, earth, fire, and water. I've not been "skunked" in over 20
years of practice, and I've never taken anything with me.
16. How do you feel about other religions?
They're okay for those who find them to meet their needs. For my own views,
most of them make God too small. Further, it seems the ultimate foolishness to
me, but to use religion as a reason for war is patently absurd.
17. How do you feel about science?
Man's quest to understand his environment? What can be bad about that.
Unless he uses this understanding to wage war on religious grounds ...
18. How do you feel modern Paganisms relate to ancient paganisms?
It doesn't. But that also doesn't matter. If modern Pagans find their
spiritual needs met in their religion, who's to argue.
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